Purpose

The AESO has identified outstanding questions for stakeholders to consider and respond to, following the publication of the OTP Framework Options Paper, which relate to the further development of the OTP framework design. The AESO values stakeholder input and invites all interested parties to provide their feedback on the OTP Framework Options Paper via the following stakeholder feedback form by April 30, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. MT. Please be as specific as possible with your responses. Thank you for your input.

Instructions

1. Please fill out the sections below as indicated
2. Only one completed feedback form will be accepted per organization
   • To upload your completed feedback form:
   • You will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform
3. When completed, click on the "Submit Stakeholder Feedback" box below to upload your completed feedback form
   • All responses will be shared on AESO Engage in their original format
4. Responses due by April 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. MT

Questions

Based on the OTP Framework Options Paper, please provide comments on the key decisions and options presented in the following questions:

1. Do you align with the intent of the objectives and principles presented in the OTP Framework Options Paper? Do you require additional clarification or information?

2. Decision A1: How should “optimal” be defined in OTP?

• Non-zero congestion thresholds or other models
• Multi-value benefit/cost framework

3. Decision A2: How should transmission needs be assessed?

• Separate planning process for each type of driver
• Consolidated, multi-driver planning process

4. Decision A3:Over what planning horizon should OTP be applied?

• Long-term only
• Near-term and long-term

5. Decision B1: What is the appropriate overall benefits perspective?

• Total electricity system cost
• Ratepayer impacts only

6. Decision B2: What criteria should be used to evaluate and select solutions?

• Net benefits
• Benefit-to-cost ratios
• Benefit-to-cost ratios and net benefits
• Least regrets

7. Decision B3: How should potential solutions be assessed?

• Project-based
• Portfolio-based
• Project-based and portfolio-based

8. Decision B4: What benefits should be considered and calculated?

• Prescriptive
• Flexible with guidelines

9. Decision B5: How to capture a realistic level of congestion cost in planning?

• Scaling for missing congestion
• Refine model to quantify missing congestion
• Scaling with model improvement

10. Decision B6: How should generation investment cost be considered?

• Ignore generation investment costs reduction
• Quantify generation investment cost savings when relevant 

11. Is there any design element missing from the OTP Framework Options Paper? If so, please provide details on the element and its importance to the OTP framework development:

12. The AESO OTP Options Framework Paper proposes using the above non-exhaustive decisions and options as a starting point for engaging stakeholders in the development of the OTP framework design in Alberta. Do you have an alternative OTP framework design for Alberta? If so, please summarize.

13. Based on the OTP methodology that is presented in the appendix, should the Transmission Reinforcement Payment (TRP) factor into that OTP methodology? If so, please summarize.

14. If you have an alternative OTP framework design, should the Transmission Reinforcement Payment factor into that alternative approach? If so, please summarize.

Materials

Refer to the OTP Framework Options Paper and Written Feedback Form.

Purpose

An important piece of the first sprint, which will run from May 12 - 15, 2025, will be to hear stakeholders' perspectives and proposals on what they think the OTP & TRP framework could look like.

The intent of these presentations is to broaden the initial starting points and hear different points of view, help identify misalignment early and collaboratively shape the OTP/TRP design.

Proposal Parameters

All proposals must align with the OTP engagement development objective and adhere to its principles. Specifically, each proposal should:

1. Demonstrate alignment with the OTP Framework's Objective & Principles

All proposals should demonstrate how the alternative supports in the development of economically-efficient transmission projects.

Your stated assumptions on the role of TRP within the framework.

2. Promote Transparency

All presentations should clearly outline all methods, assumptions, and rationale leveraged in its development.

All assumptions used in the proposal's design or assessment should be consistent with those already established within REM and other AESO initiatives

3. Ensure Reasonable Implementation

Topics and perspectives presented should be compatible, functionally aligned, and feasible with the REM and other initiatives that work within the Alberta Market. 

Instructions

1. Stakeholder proposals are limited to 30-minutes of presenting and 15 minutes Q&A.
   
2. You have the opportunity to bring a subject matter expert from your organization to assist with presenting your proposal.
3. To submit your proposal, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform. 
4. Click on the "Submit Stakeholder Proposal" box below to submit proposals. 
5. One proposal per organization.
6. All proposals will be shared on AESO Engage (unless otherwise requested).
7. Proposals are due on or before May 5, 2025.

Purpose

To learn more about how other jurisdictions approach optimal transmission planning, please see the provided links to jurisdictional examples and information. Additionally, we would like to hear from you on the questions provided below.

Please note that these materials are for illustrative and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as support for a particular methodology.

Instructions

1. To submit your feedback, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
2. Please click on the "Complete Stakeholder Feedback" box below to provide your specific comments.
3. You are not required to submit only one feedback per organization.
4. Results will be posted on AESO Engage, in their original state

Stakeholder Questions

1. Are there other jurisdictions with OTP practices that the AESO should further explore? If yes, please highlight specific element(s) of certain OTP practices you would like us to focus on, as well as the resulting benefits to an Alberta framework.
2. Do you have additional attachments or formatted versions of your responses that you would like to submit? If so, please submit here.

Purpose

We value your input and would like to ask all interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on the AESO's proposed stakeholder engagement approach to the Minister of Affordability & Utilities' direction to develop a new optimally planned transmission planning framework.

The brief survey will remain open during the initiative and results of the survey will be shared on AESO Engage, in their original state.  

Thank you in advance for providing this important feedback.

Instructions

1. To submit your feedback, you will need to be registered and signed in on the AESO Engage platform.
2. Please click on the "Complete Stakeholder Feedback" box below to provide your specific comments.
3. Please submit one completed Stakeholder Feedback per organization.
4. Results will be posted on AESO Engage, in their original state.

Stakeholder Survey Questions

1. Please indicate which category your organization predominantly represents:
   • Generation (thermal or diversified fuel mix)
   • Load
   • DFO / TFO
   • Renewables
   • Storage
   • Retailer
   • Academia
   • Other
2. Name of Organization
3. First and Last Name
4. Do you have any feedback on the AESO's proposed stakeholder engagement approach and schedule?
5. If you would like to provide a formatted document version of your response, you can do so here.
6. Additional questions or comments?